Spots? What Spots!

If you are starting to see spots on your body that were not there before, its pigmentation. Pigmentation on the body is from different forms of melanin that are blended into body cells . They absorb the energy of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays in order to protect your skin from overexposure. Generally, this results in tanning of the skin. But, age spots appear when sun damage throws off the patterns of melanocytes {pigment-producing cell}. Sometimes you don’t see the damage until years later.

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As always, prevention is key. While you already know all of these, let's review anyway ;)

• Hats & long-sleeved shirts
• I-didn't-put-any-makeup-on-super sized UV protected sunglasses
• SPF 30 blocks 97 % of rays & SPF 50 or more blocks 99 % . Most doctors say save your cash and grab the SPF 30, it doesn't offer much less protection than an SPF 70 {just make sure to reapply throughout the day}
• UV protection on car windows

There are a few natural treatments to help reduce visibility of age spots. Keep in mind that a single day of excess sun can undo months of treatment, so always use protection.

• Potato Bleaching: Potatoes are high in catecholase, a strong skin lightening substance found in many skin bleaching products. They also have brightening ingredients that enhance the skin's appearance by exfoliating dead skin, lightening the skin's overall pigment. Trow an entire potato, peel included, into your blender until it turns into a paste. Gently rub the paste on the age spots. Leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse well.
  
• Orange Peel Bleaching: Orange peels contain natural acids that help lighten age spots. Same as the potatoes, blend orange peels until it turns into a paste {add water if needed}, apply for 30 minutes, and rinse.
  
• Lime/Lemon Juice: Use the juice of a lime or lemon, as a toner on sun spots. The juices contain properties that can lighten, exfoliate and tone skin to reduce the overall appearance of dark spots. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse. {If you have darker hair, be careful when applying the juice, not to get on your hair, otherwise you might see some highlights you weren't planning on} ;)
  

Happy Monday!